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Eagles topple Cougars, county foes up next
By DAVID MURPHY
Published December 20, 2005
When Springstead shocked Countryside with a 37-31 upset at this weekend's Buccaneer Holiday Invitational at Gulf, the Eagles didn't just beat a wrestling team.
They beat a program that has finished in the top three in the state each of the past three seasons.
They beat a program that has produced nine individual state champions since 2000.
They beat a program widely hailed as one of the most prolific in the state.
"It's my biggest win in eight years as a coach," Springstead's Eric Swensen said.
Now, three days after Springstead sophomore Skylar Huff held on to beat Gulf's Mike Talhouk 11-10 in the decisive 125-pound match, the Eagles enter today's HCAC Duals with all the momentum they need.
The fact that Springstead serves as tournament host is a bonus as the Eagles look to knock off Hernando as the county's top program.
If Springstead doesn't emerge from the day-long, round-robin style tournament as the county champion, it will be a huge upset.
Though Hernando has won the past couple of HCAC titles, the Leopards are a young team who two weeks ago finished well behind Springstead at the Kiwanis Invitational.
"We're definitely on an upswing," said Swensen, who two years ago took over a program that current Springstead athletic director Bob Levija had built into prominence. "That momentum will carry us (today)."
STRONG DAYS FOR LEOPARD RUNNERS: It was a productive weekend for runners associated with the Hernando cross-country program.
In Clearwater, former Leopards runner and current coach John Emerson won the Say No to Drugs Holiday Classic 10K in 32:32, knocking off 2004 winner Lee Stephens .
At the Jacksonville Marathon, Hernando junior Ben Martucci , who placed third in the state this year, and senior Robert Sudduth participated in the half marathon. Results have not been posted on the race's Web site, but Leopards coach Ernie Chatman said Martucci finished fifth overall and Sudduth placed 15th, and both won their age groups.
[Last modified December 20, 2005, 01:50:22]
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